Victor Davis Hanson: Are we on the verge of civil war?

washingtontimes.com ^ | Victor Davis Hanson

[RoosterRedux]

Americans keep dividing into two hostile camps.

It seems the country is back to 1860 on the eve of the Civil War, rather than in 2018, during the greatest age of affluence, leisure and freedom in the history of civilization.

The ancient historian Thucydides called the civil discord that tore apart the fifth-century B.C. Greek city-states “stasis.” He saw stasis as a bitter civil war between the revolutionary masses and the traditionalist middle and upper classes.

Something like that ancient divide is now infecting every aspect of American life.

Americans increasingly are either proud of past U.S. traditions, ongoing reform and current American exceptionalism, or they insist that the country was hopelessly flawed at its birth and must be radically reinvented to rectify its original sins.

No sphere of life is immune from the subsequent politicization: Not movies, television, professional sports, late-night comedy or colleges. Even hurricanes are typically leveraged to advance political agendas.

[saintgermaine]

The real danger is that Conservatives and the GOP won’t fight and the country will go out with a whimper and become a Socialist/Communist hell.

Unfortunately and regretfully you may be right, that’s what happens more often than not. Both parties get together and conspire what they have done all along and screw the public and line their pockets and if someone comes along and tries to put an end to it like Trump, both parties begin to fight and resist him, putting their own agenda ahead of what would benefit this country. Dumb and ignorant, but typical human.

[mewzilla]

Let’s not be cute.

We have only two choices: ballots or bullets.

I’m not ready to resort to the latter.

I don’t have a problem with protests. I’ve attended a few. I just don’t think they have much efficacy.

[PIF]

That is, unless they are the celebrities, hipsters, academics and wealthy liberals that live in the most exclusive parts of our cities and states.

—

important to add Trust Funders as they have no concept of the work it takes to create wealth - they were born with it. I knew one twenty something guy that was receiving $40K a month and had no idea what to do with the money other than keep the cash in a dresser - when he bothered to cash the check.

[DuncanWaring]

About the CWII Ping List

The CWII Ping List is short for Civil War II. It is NOT a list of people advocating another Civil War in America. It is a list of people who are interested in the parallels between the Civil War (or War Between the States, if you prefer) and our current situation, or more generally are noting the references to a 'coming Civil War' that are made in the press.

Of course sometimes this is merely a figure of speech, such as "The Tea Parties are fighting a civil war for the heart of the GOP". This would not merit a CWII ping.

On the other hand someone saying something like "The events in California are reminiscent of what happened in Yugoslavia in the period proceeding the Civil War" would merit a ping.

FR rules do not permit advocating for the overthrow of the Republic, and I am not aware of anyone doing so on the list. Still many do see that as the political climate worsens we may be heading in a direction that makes such a conflict all but inevitable, particularly if other avenues for resolving our differences are taken away. Such as widespread vote fraud by leftists making elections meaningless, or a small cadre of judges over-ruling all attempts to end destructive policies over the clear will of the people.

The correct keyword tag for the Civil War II ping list is "CWII".
Please Freep Mail me to get on the list

[MuttTheHoople]

Whose side has the guns?

Why do you think the lefty flagburners are so desperately wanting illegal immigration? They know that native-born flagburners are slowly being aborted, gayed, and family-planned out of existence. Also, it's hard for Mr. Snowflake Soyboy to not faint in the sight of a gun, much less hold one and fire. So, the Left and Democrats want to import Narco and Communist Storm Troopers who will do the dirty work against us Normals.

[mewzilla]

I take back my comment about protests. There might be a way, but not marching in the streets. Not that kind of protest.

You want to send a message to the uniparty: threaten to starve Fedzilla. Millions of people changing their withholding, refusing to spend, for example. Find a way to cut off money, and THAT would send a message. That kinda protest I’d get behind and take part in.

[qaz123]

https://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/bracken-when-the-music-stops-how-americas-cities-may-explode-in-violence/

[rjsimmon]

during the greatest age of affluence, leisure and freedom in the history of civilization

Therein lies the problem. "leisure". Humans love leisure but cannot tolerate it. When it occurs, we tend to look for sources of stress, real or imagined, and drench ourselves in it. When natural sources of stress occur, humans will often work with adversaries to overcome them.

Those who wish to manipulate society will find natural sources of stress and either increase or decrease those they find most useful (i.e. the real threat of Islam is being reduced as a source of stress but natural differences between the sexes is being increased as a source of stress).

[Savage Beast]

"Whose side has the guns?"

No, the fundamental question is: "Who controls the military?"

[qaz123]

I include them in the Hipster category.

[PIF]

The difference this time is that the opposing side wants to completely change our constitution and country.

—

Incidental. The want Power, Absolute Power - nothing less.

[Texas resident]

The civil war began when the communists took over the Democrat party. Obama was their cheerleader and implementer.

[Drew68]

When the CW2 begins i hope the other side keeps in mind that they reside in mostly gun free zones.

Gun-free zones aren't actually real. They exist on paper only.

[4Liberty]

emocrats

[qaz123]

Not only...Who controls the military? But...

Who makes up it’s ranks? Are the ranks made up of liberal, hipsters that hate America? Or, Of kids from the South and Midwest who grew up standing for the Anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

I realize that there are some that would blindly follow orders, like they did during Katrina, which was an absolute travesty. But, if it gets real, I’m thinking there are a large number that will grab their gear and get on-line with the people. Or so I hope.

[Henry Hnyellar]

Get some paragraphs with your coffee.

[PIF]

I include them in the Hipster category.

—
Yes the old adage: scratch a hippy find a Porsche is true. But many do not realize that many of these hippies are extremely wealthy, which is why Trust Funders need to be pointed at specifically; those that do not work, that pay Income Tax only on their dividends.

[mel]

You are right war is just bravado talking there won’t be a civil war.

[Leep]

Next you will tell me “sanctuary cities” are not real.

[wally_bert]

Good ole Willie T. was dead on right there.